Read and follow the instructions carefully prior to submitting your application. Instructions 

Awardees will be notified for Round 1 on or before the 3rd of May 2021.

Demographic Information:

This funding opportunity is designed to provide relief to Black-owned small businesses in the target communities. For more information on how to become certified as a Minority-owned business please visit the MA OSD's Supplier Diversity Office.

Information regarding gender is optional. The information is requested for post-award report generation only and in no way affects your selection for this program. 

This grant is meant to help the Black businesses in our community who have experienced significant hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we would like to support every business, we have limited funds, and intend to prioritize supporting the businesses that demonstrate the greatest need and potential benefit from this opportunity.

This is the most important part of your application! Please use this section to help us better understand your story. Describe how you intend to use the funding, and how that will benefit your business/organization going forward. Additionally, for nonprofits, the positive impact that you will bring to the local Black community.

Each question includes examples that you should use as a guideline for your response to the following 2 questions. Minimum of 250 words each.

Narrative Example

 

As an upcoming businessman COVID-19 has forced me to make some extremely difficult choices and sacrifices. I have constantly struggled internally to figure out how I could adapt or if it was just time to give up. My first choice was to go store to store in an effort to make sales and spread my business name. When the pandemic first started, I spent days going from Gas stations, smoke shops, convenience stores, mom and pop shops, and anywhere and everywhere else I thought that there might be someone interested in purchasing my product. I spent countless days and hours pounding the pavement, but it wasn’t enough.

I realized that if I was going to keep moving forward, I needed to find new ways to increase my sales. I learned how to create a website on YouTube and my nights were filled with making that come to life. I used my unemployment checks to buy the supplies and materials needed in order to keep my product going. A lot of my vendors were shutting down, so I had to order as far as California, pay expensive shipping costs, and wait days for delivery. The reception of my business has been well received here in Springfield. I signed up for ABBP and met businessmen and women here who would point me in the right direction. During the first few months of the pandemic, I was met with so many ‘No's’. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive any type of funding assistance from any of the pandemic assistance programs. Times change and here I sat waiting and struggling. I am proud to see the work I have been putting in paying off, a true testament of hard work and perseverance. But I’m still very much in the hole financially and I need assistance if I’m going to not only survive but also work towards thriving.

Proposed Budget Example

If awarded the funding would go to inventory and materials and supplies in order to continue my operations. I have been struggling and owe several months of rent. I currently have an agreement with my landlord, but these funds would be very helpful in ensuring I am up-to-date. Additionally, expenses for marketing, insurance, and transportation. All of these are necessary to keep my business an ongoing entity.

Budget for Black Business Grant:
Inventory: $2,500.00
Past Due Rent: $900.00
Materials & Supplies: $550.00
Marketing: SEO Creation $500.00
Six Months of Insurance: $250.00
Transportation Expenses: $300.00

Total use of funds: $5,000.00 

By signing (typing your legal name) in the space below, you are certifying that all information is correct and that you are the person completing this application. When you press the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Please print for your records and retain as verification of your application.

The information provided in this application shall not be shared to anyone else and is kept confidential